It’s rather pitiful that I find myself mentally checking a list as I sit down in a church. It is my own version of Linus’ security blanket. If I see all I think I need, I can be less stressed, cuddle up and relax in to worship.

Cross R

Bible   R

 (Looking at the Order of Worship)

Hymns R

Scripture R

Lord’s Prayer          R

 (Bonus points)

Light of Christ R

Atmosphere of Tradition R

Feeling of Fellowship R

What is on your checklist?  Today was a good worship experience, all my boxes were checked.

• We seek, watch and follow the Light of Christ as the Acolytes process it to the front. My heart cracks open a bit with the beautiful words: “Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that you’re my God…”
• Good ol’ Methodist traditional Hymns! “Wonderful Words of Life” and “Open My Eyes”.
• Bonus: baptism (babies are always a good sign in church!)
• Call to Prayer: “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying.” I feel my roots reach deeper for sustaining nourishment.
• Third Grade Bibles are presented to over 25 kids; they accept these books as their “BFF.”
  • The best one. A little girl by the name of Katie is handed her Bible. She hugs it, eyes closed. Then opens them to find her parents and gives them this huge smile, she never stops hugging her Bible. Priceless.
• Then a little “preacher-in-training” boy who just received his own Bible steps to the Lectern to read the Scripture for today; he reads with confidence and meaning:
  • …²⁶ He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” ²⁷ And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:26-27 (My Friends in Faith Sunday School class friends will tell you that this really checks my box, because this is one of my favorite scriptures.)
  • The Sermon was grounded in Scripture (thank you!); and I wrote down a couple of good quotes:
    • Q1 (from the Preacher’s Sikh friend): “If we don’t see God in all; we don’t see God at all.”
    • Q2: “We don’t have to think alike, but we can love alike.”

And, the offering music was beautiful, the people friendly, lots of ages, prayers, benediction, etc. Not to mention, that this Sunday we had the pleasure of good friends joining us in our “Church Tourist” experience today.

It was indeed a good worship experience today.

Maybe someday I’ll be mature enough in my faith not to need my checklist of comfort items. Although, I anxiously hope and await this transformation, in the meantime, I thank God for comforting me to feel at home in His House.